Search Results

We Stutter Upstate is a community for people who stutter in the Carolinas. Join us for support, resources, and events. Monthly Zoom meetings for the stuttering community in North Carolina & South Carolina. NEXT MEETING Tuesday, May 26 7:00PM to 8:15PM JOIN MEETING Meeting ID: 634 905 4978 Passcode: 2026 Join others who stutter in North Carolina and South Carolina on Zoom at our joint online chapter meeting. Together, we’ll discuss issues related to living life as a person who stutters and we’ll gain new life perspectives on stuttering by seeing, hearing, and learning from others who stutter. We Stutter Carolinas WELCOMES everyone to join our zoom meetings. Family, friends, SLPs, SLP students, PWS and anyone interested in stuttering are welcome to attend. Zoom Meeting Host John Moore leads the NSA Chapter in Greenville, SC and has previously served on the Board of Directors of the National Stuttering Association. Questions? Contact your local Chapter Leader. You can also email John Moore or call/text him at 512.633.4086. We Stutter Carolinas is affiliated with the National Stuttering Association .

Looking for a speech therapist who understands stuttering? The National Stuttering Association offers guidance, referral links, and questions to ask before starting therapy so you can find the right Speech-Language Pathologist for your needs. Your Guide to Finding the Right Speech Language Pathologist Speech therapy can play a life-changing role in helping people who stutter build confidence and communicate with ease. Choosing the right Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is a personal decision that depends on trust, understanding, and experience. There is no single “best” method for treating stuttering. Different approaches work for different people, and no therapy can guarantee permanent fluency. The goal is to find a clinician who values your voice and partners with you to create a plan that meets your unique goals. What Makes Speech Therapy Successful Research shows that the most effective therapy happens when: The clinician has specific training and experience working with people who stutter. The clinician and client build a strong “therapeutic alliance, ” where mutual trust and communication support progress. Before starting therapy, consider meeting with potential SLPs to learn about their methods and philosophy. This conversation is an opportunity to see whether you feel heard , supported , and respected . Questions to Ask a Potential SLP Asking thoughtful questions can help you find a therapist who understands your goals and respects your journey. Below are examples to help you begin. How do you view stuttering — as something to fix or as a way of speaking that can be supported? Red Flag Response: “My goal is to help you speak fluently all the time.” What does a stuttering therapy session typically look like? Red Flag Response: “We’ll practice until you get rid of your stuttering.” How do you help clients balance fluency strategies with stuttering acceptance? Red Flag Response: “I’ll teach you techniques to hide your stuttering.” What resources or communities do you recommend for people who stutter? Red Flag Response: “I don’t really know of any stuttering communities.” How do you handle moments when a client stutters openly in therapy? Red Flag Response: “I’ll stop you and remind you to use a fluency technique.” For more context about therapy approaches, visit the Stuttering Treatment Options page to understand fluency shaping, stuttering modification, and stutter-affirming therapy. Speech-Language Pathologist Referral List Specialty Board on Fluency Disorders www.StutteringSpecialists.org The Specialty Board on Fluency Disorders maintains a directory of SLPs who have advanced training in stuttering and meet peer-reviewed standards as board-recognized specialists. Their website also includes guidance on choosing an SLP and questions to ask to help you select the right therapist. Spero Stuttering “Ally of Stuttering” Certified Clinicians www.SperoStuttering.org Spero Stuttering’s Ally of Stuttering certification program recognizes SLPs who demonstrate a stutter-affirming approach and ongoing commitment to education and advocacy. Their referral list connects individuals with clinicians who focus on empowerment, acceptance, and evidence-based care. GlobalSpeech globalspeechaccess.org GlobalSpeech is a student-created tool that maps nearly 2,000 speech therapy centers across the U.S. and parts of North America. With easy state-by-state filters, it helps families locate speech services quickly. Created by Noel Thomas of Leland High School in San Jose, CA, GlobalSpeech was inspired by his own experience with stuttering. Please note: The NSA does not warrant the competency of individual therapists or guarantee treatment outcomes. Always contact professionals directly and ask questions before beginning therapy. Other Helpful Resources Stuttering Programs and Camps westutter.org/post/other-programs The NSA maintains a list of workshops, intensive programs, summer classes, and camps for children, teens, and adults who stutter. This list is updated regularly to help families find supportive programs nationwide. NSA Local Chapters westutter.org/join-a-chapter The NSA offers a nationwide network of Local Chapters for adults, families, teens, and kids. Meetings provide a safe, judgment-free environment for people who stutter to share their experiences and build community with others who understand. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association www.asha.org ASHA is the professional association for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Their website includes information about certification, evidence-based practice, and insurance reimbursement for stuttering therapy. Spero Stuttering, Inc. www.sperostuttering.org Spero Stuttering empowers and advocates for the stuttering community by supporting those who work with people who stutter. Spero offers funding for SLPs to attend training and connection events such as the NSA Annual Conference. Learn more and apply at Spero Funding Opportunities. Need More Help? If you need additional assistance finding an SLP in your area, contact the, contact the NSA National Office . Our team is happy to connect you with resources and local support networks. Last Updated: October 2025 Author: National Stuttering Association Marketing & Education Team with contributions from Nicole Kulmaczewski, MS, CCC-SLP, Jacqueline Toscano, SLP.D. CCC-SLP, Caitlin Franchini, MS, CCC-SLP and Megan M. Young, ABD, CCC-SLP

Speech therapy for stuttering has long struggled with one key issue: helping people use the skills and techniques in everyday conversations. Research led by John A. Tetnowski, PhD, CCC, is tackling this challenge using virtual reality (VR), offering a more practical and engaging path forward for stuttering therapy. “The main goal of this project was to investigate how skills learned in clinical settings can be transferred to real-world settings,” said Dr. Tetnowski. “This problem is common in all stuttering therapies.” Funded by the National Stuttering Association’s CASE Research Grant in 2022 and ongoing through 2025, this project focuses on adolescents and adults who stutter. Its goal is simple but critical: make therapy more applicable to everyday communication. By prioritizing outcomes, the research moves beyond traditional clinic-based success measures. The Therapy Room vs Real Life: How VR Bridges the Gap Traditional methods like role-play often fall short because they don’t fully replicate real-world situations. This creates a disconnect that can limit progress and confidence. VR introduces immersive environments where people can practice communication in realistic scenarios. Early findings show it helps transfer skills more effectively than traditional methods. “The gulf between a clinical setting and a real-world setting is quite wide,” said Dr. Tetnowski. “We found that VR is a viable option for promoting transfer and carryover of skills.” Read: How NSA-Funded Research Is Advancing Understanding of Stuttering Read: How This Researcher Advanced the Quality of Life for People Who Stutter Why VR Works One of the most surprising outcomes of the research is how quickly adolescents adapt to VR. Not only do they engage with it easily, but they also show increased motivation to practice independently. This shift could be a game-changer for long-term therapy success, especially for younger populations. “Adolescents not only enjoy this type of intervention, but they will also engage in at-home practice easily and without prompting from parents and therapists,” said Dr. Tetnowski. Beyond improving outcomes, VR also expands access to care. Individuals in rural or underserved areas can benefit from realistic therapy experiences without needing to travel to specialized clinics. This makes stuttering therapy more inclusive and widely available. How VR Is Changing the Future of Speech-Language Pathology The implications of this research extend beyond therapy sessions. VR is also reshaping how future speech-language pathologists are trained, offering immersive experiences that simulate the emotional and practical realities of stuttering. It provides a more accessible and ethical alternative to traditional training exercises. “Stuttering in a virtual environment can serve as an intermediate step that can give all speech pathology students to experience some of the feelings associated with stuttering,” Dr. Tetnowski said. His team is already implementing VR in clinical settings while continuing to refine and expand the technology. New simulations are being developed to increase realism and collect more detailed data. This ongoing work ensures that VR-based therapy will continue to evolve and improve. Read: How One Research Award Helped Launch a Career in Stuttering Research Read: Rethinking Early Stuttering Support: What Parent-Child Interactions Really Tell Us What’s Next for Virtual Reality in Speech Therapy? Looking ahead, the research aims to explore whether VR can support other areas of speech therapy beyond stuttering. If successful, this could open the door to a broader transformation in how communication disorders are treated. The future of therapy may be more accessible and effective than ever before. But Dr. Tetnowski is thinking of the future by asking just one important question: “Can VR applications be used in more types of speech therapy, not just stuttering?” To learn more about the NSA’s CASE Grant, visit WeStutter.org/case-grant.

Seeing your experience as a person who stutters reflected back to you in a way that feels joyful and honest can be life-changing. That’s why the National Stuttering Association (NSA) is so excited to announce our collaboration with Willemijn to release special edition NSA art! Her artwork, centered around our slogan, “If you stutter, you are not alone,” brings the spirit of the stuttering community to life. It’s not only a visual, but also a reminder that art can be a meaningful outlet for expressing who we are and how we experience the world. Creative Process: From Idea to Illustration “I really wanted to capture the joy of the stuttering community, so I chose a colorful and playful style for this illustration,” Willemijn said. “I first drew the tagline in the center and then sketched different characters around it, interacting with each other in a positive way. Some of them are inspired by friends from the community, which makes the art feel more authentic and meaningful.” Willemijn’s process reflects the same sense of connection that the artwork represents. By centering the message first and building outward, she created a world where community quite literally surrounds the idea that no one who stutters is alone on their journey. Symbols of Connection & What She Hopes You Feel “I enjoy playing with the shapes of speech bubbles to show different ways of speaking and stuttering,” Willemijn said. “The intersecting speech bubbles symbolize the connection we can experience through our speech.” These details invite you to look a little closer. The variation in speech bubbles highlights the diversity of communication, while their intersections point to something shared: understanding and community. “When people who stutter look at this artwork, I hope they feel joy or even pride in being part of this community,” she said. “I hope they think of friends they have met, or new friends they might meet in the future.” That sense of possibility of remembering past connections and imagining new ones is at the heart of this artwork. Inspiration Behind the Work “In terms of style, I am inspired by artists who draw in a loose and playful way,” Willemijn said. “I want to convey joy in my work, which I also aimed to do in this piece. The topics that inspire me most are stuttering, mental health, and finding connection. I enjoy creating very personal work and sharing stories from real people. That's why some of the characters in this piece are based on my real friends from the community.” Willemijn’s art is rooted in stories and experiences. That’s what makes this collaboration feel so meaningful. It reflects the community not just in message, but in spirit. This art is designed to meet you wherever you are and is available as a digital bundle, including an 18x24 print, desktop background, and mobile background. Download the digital print from our merch store.

Understanding Claim Denials Many families and individuals who stutter face insurance claim denials when seeking coverage for speech therapy. These denials often result from outdated policies that classify stuttering treatment as “non-medical” or “developmental.” In reality, stuttering is a neurological communication disorder, and speech-language pathology services are both medically necessary and evidence-based. Note: While stuttering is a natural variation of speech, speech therapy is medically necessary and should be covered by insurance when it significantly affects daily communication. The medical terms “fluency disorder” or “communication disorder” may sound inconsistent with the inclusive language used across other NSA resources, but they are important to include when communicating with insurance companies to facilitate coverage for stuttering therapy services. If your insurance claim has been denied, do not be discouraged. Many successful appeals happen when the right information and supporting documentation are provided. Steps to Appeal a Denied Claim 1. Review the Denial Letter Carefully Begin by reading the denial letter in detail. The reason for denial is usually stated clearly. Common reasons include: “The service is not covered under the plan.” “The service is considered educational, not medical.” “Preauthorization was not obtained.” Understanding the exact reason helps you respond effectively. 2. Request Documentation and Clarification Contact your insurance provider to confirm what information they need for reconsideration. Ask whether they require a Letter of Medical Necessity, therapy reports, or diagnostic codes from your speech-language pathologist. 3. Obtain a Letter of Medical Necessity Your speech-language pathologist (SLP) can write a formal letter outlining why treatment is necessary. The letter should: Include the medical diagnosis (for example, ICD-10 code F98.5: Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder). Describe the severity of stuttering and its impact on communication, social participation, and education. Explain that therapy is evidence-based and aimed at improving quality of life and communication confidence. Reference authoritative sources such as ASHA and the National Stuttering Association. 4. Write and Submit Your Appeal Letter Use a professional tone and reference policy details when writing your appeal. Be specific and include any supporting documents, such as therapy notes or physician referrals. Keep copies of everything you submit. Sample Appeal Letter (For Parents or Caregivers) [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP] [Email Address] [Phone Number] Date To: [Insurance Company Name] Att: Appeals Department [Insurance Company Address] Re: Appeal for Denied Claim for Speech Therapy Services Policy Number: [Insert Policy Number] Claim Number: [Insert Claim Number] Dear [Insurance Representative Name], I am writing to formally appeal the denial of coverage for speech therapy services for my child, [Child’s Name], diagnosed with Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder (ICD-10 Code F98.5). Stuttering is a recognized neurological communication disorder that affects speech fluency, timing, and physical coordination. Speech therapy for stuttering is a medically necessary service supported by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the National Stuttering Association (NSA). Your denial stated that [insert reason for denial]. However, evidence-based treatment provided by a certified speech-language pathologist directly supports communication development, social participation, and mental well-being. Limiting coverage for stuttering therapy contradicts current medical understanding of the condition. Please reconsider this decision and approve coverage for continued therapy. I have enclosed documentation from our speech-language pathologist, including a Letter of Medical Necessity, progress reports, and supporting materials. Thank you for your prompt attention to this appeal. I look forward to your response and a fair review of this case. Sincerely, [Your Full Name] Sample Letter of Medical Necessity (From a Speech-Language Pathologist) [SLP Name, Credentials] [Practice or Clinic Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP] [Email] [Phone Number] Date To: [Insurance Company Name] Att: Medical Review Department Re: Letter of Medical Necessity for [Patient Name] Diagnosis: Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder (ICD-10 Code F98.5) Dear Medical Review Team, I am writing to provide documentation supporting the medical necessity of speech therapy services for [Patient Name], a [child/adolescent/adult] with a diagnosis of stuttering. Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental communication disorder affecting speech fluency, timing, and coordination. The resulting disfluencies significantly impact [his/her/their] ability to communicate effectively in academic, social, and everyday settings. Speech therapy for stuttering is an evidence-based, medically necessary intervention aimed at improving communication confidence, reducing avoidance, and supporting functional communication outcomes. These interventions are consistent with best practices established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and endorsed by the National Stuttering Association (NSA). I respectfully request reconsideration and approval for coverage of these services. Treatment is essential to support communication ability and improve participation in daily life. Sincerely, [SLP Name, Credentials, License Number] Speech-Language Pathologist Follow-Up and Additional Support If your appeal is denied again, you may submit a second-level appeal or request an external review through your state’s insurance commission. The National Stuttering Association can provide letters of support or assist in connecting you with advocates experienced in speech therapy coverage disputes. For assistance, contact the National Stuttering Association. Tips for a Successful Stuttering Insurance Appeal Stay organized and keep copies of all correspondence. Include clear documentation and supporting evidence with each submission. Reference clinical research and authoritative sources. Be persistent; multiple appeals are often necessary.